New Jersey cannabis testing requirements

Required tests

• Potency
• Terpenes
• Pesticides
• Residual solvents
• Heavy metals
• Microbials
• Mycotoxins
• Water activity
• Moisture
• Foreign matter
• Vitamin E acetate
• Other (see notes)

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation

Required. Evidence of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from an ILAC-recognized body is part of the lab license application (N.J.A.C. 17:30-18.2(b)8) and must be maintained (N.J.A.C. 17:30-18.5(e)).

Notes

• Testing rules: N.J.A.C. 17:30-18 (lab licensing) and 17:30-19 (sampling and testing). They took effect once the CRC certified that enough labs were licensed (CRC notice, updated April 2, 2026).
• Interim standard: labs must follow the Maryland Technical Authority for Cannabis Testing, Revision 3.0 (Dec 15, 2020) for tests, methods and action limits; N.J.A.C. 17:30 prevails where the two differ.
• The CRC's own testing guidance, approved Feb 18, 2025, was rescinded in May 2025 and the Maryland-based interim standard restored.
• Microbials: total aerobic count, total yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella; edibles: total coliforms, STEC, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Mycotoxins: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A.
• Heavy metals: lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, chromium. Vitamin E acetate screening applies to vape products. Moisture content for raw plant material; water activity for flower (<0.65) and edibles (<0.85).
• Other: stability testing of the retention sample at 6 and 12 months after release (N.J.A.C. 17:30-19.5).
• In flux: in September 2026 the CRC sought proposals (due Oct 22, 2026) for recurring independent analysis of lab data to detect lab shopping (news report).